Science

Music, Weed, and Our Body

Music and marijuana go hand in hand, like the intertwined body parts of two lovers tossing in sheets.  The effects of music on weed takes an already deeply sensual experience and electrifies it unto another level, creating a synesthetic effect that has been described as being able to see, or feel harmonies.  A phenomenon, which is not just based on user experience, but is supported by hard, physiological scientific evidence. 

In order to understand how this happens, we must first understand a little bit of anatomy. But, hold on, I promise I’ll make it easy.  All mammal’s physiological functions are controlled by the Endocannabinoid system.  This is what’s responsible for the body’s pain levels, appetite, and temperament (to name a few). 

The Endocannabinoid system activates these functions as necessary through a countless number of cells in the brain known as cannabinoid receptors.  These receptors are primarily activated by two distinct natural sources of cannabinoids.  The first, are known as Endocannabinnoids and are produced internally within the mammals (humans) body.  The second, are known as plant cannabinoids, like those found in marijuana.

Example:  Initally, the mammal body recognizes a need for sustenance (food) and begins producing Endocannabinoids.  Then, these will attach to receptors throughout the brain and initiate a feeling of hunger.  Or, a person partakes in ganja and floods their system with external cannabinoids, which will stimulate the entire Endocannabinoid system.

Some of these cannabinoid receptors are located in a part of the brain known as the Corpus Callosum.  A piece of connective tissue that is responsible for communication between the mind’s right and left hemispheres.  Similar to a telephone wire that enables communication between two separate houses.  One of the responsibilities of the cannabinoid receptors located in the Corpus Callosum, is the cognitive recognizance of sound/music.    

Here’s an easy illustration of how it would work –  The brain hears something.  One side is like, “Hey, that’s pretty cool,” and he shouts over to the other side, “What do yah think?”  The other side hears it a split millisecond later and says either, “Yeah, I like that” or, “Nah, what comes next?”  As one can see, the Corpus Callosum creates an analytical dialogue between the two sides of the brain.  One concentrating on what has just passed, while the other is in anticipation of what comes next.

However, when we activate the Corpus Callosum’s receptors with external cannabinoids, we basically make it forget to do it’s job (stimulating the brain as a whole, instead of in pieces).  A job that was created by our natural animalistic instinct of survival, and of predator versus prey.  This enables the listener to become lost within the auditorial soundscape, making each new note and sound a surprise.  Placing an individual in the exact moment of the song.  This permits the pleasure receptors to dominate the experience, in the same way a feather brushing against the back of your neck subtly startles you.

Additionally, there are cannabinoid receptors located in the Ventral Striatum, a part of the brain associated with enjoyment and reward.  Upon the use of ganja, these too become super charged and activated by cannabinoids.  Adding a heightened sense of appreciation for things that were already rewarding.  Meaning, pleasurable experiences like music, sex, food, or any other hedonistic pursuit becomes more enjoyable on Mary Jane. 

Finally, all of this equates to a surge in dopamine levels.  The chemicals in the body synonymous with happiness and enjoyment.  Thereby making everything better, not just music and food.  So sit back, put on some tunes, roll one up, and enjoy the heightened experience of a mind relaxed on marijuana.  It’s like taking a daily vitamin.

Works Cited:

Huxley, Aldous. The Doors of Perception ; &, Heaven and Hell. Place of Publication Not Identified: Important, 2013. Print.
Vannatta, J. Burr. “Why Marijuana Makes Music Sound so Much Better.” Modern Trader Jan. 2017: n. pag. Why Marijuana Makes Music Sound So Much Better. Modern Trader. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

How to Make Dabs at Home – Rosin 101

In my recent post on hash, I discussed how marijuana flowers contain oil with all of the plants essential compounds.  When these oils are extracted, hash is created.  In this post,rosinpresstools I’m going to show you how to easily extract these oils at home in a completely safe environment, so that everyone may enjoy the elevated experience of dabbing.

For this project, we will need:

  1. Weed (the better your cannabis, the better the results).
  2. Hair Straightener (most come with a 1 in. width, get one double wide @ 2 in. with
    adjustable temperature control).
  3. Parchment Paper (Reynolds is the only brand I trust for this).
  4. Dabber/Scrapper.

The process is relatively simple, with the idea of extraction relying exclusively on pressure and heat.  In a nutshell, you will be placing a small bud in-between a folded sheet of parchment paper, and then squishing it in the hair straightener (using bodyweight).

IMG_0350

 

For this method, you will want to use a nug about the size of a quarter.  This will give you a good size to pressure ratio, anything bigger will be difficult to completely extract, while anything smaller will be time wasting.

 

The type of hair straightener is crucial to the success of the process.  It needs a large area for pressing, as well as the ability to manually configure its temperature settings.  Most hair straighteners follow similar heating temps., but for this process, we want a hair straightener with as low of a temperature as possible.  The Remington shown above, was purchased at Walmart for about 30$ and allows adjustment between 300 and 455 degrees.

extraction

Top: Nug placed in middle of paper.  Middle: Stepping on hair straightener.  Bottom: Freshly smooshed nug and oils.

Pre-heat the hair straightener to around 300 (lower if you can).  After, place the nug in-between the hair straightener and then quickly step on it, using your weight to push down and ‘smoosh’ the pot.  You will want to press it for about 5 seconds.  If you hold it down for to short of a period, you may not have had enough time to apply adequate heat and pressure for extraction.  If you hold it down for an overlong period, you risk overheating the essential oils and ruining your product.

After you’ve finished smooshing buds, it’s time to scrape up the oils and collect your hash.  (You’ll want to do this on a hard, cool counter to keep the oils stable.)

scraping

  1. Remove the flattened weed from the area and save for later use (more on this in another post).
  2. Use your dab tool to slowly start scraping at the oil on the parchment paper.  Different strains produce different consistencies of oil, sometimes it’ll be shatter, other times it will be more viscous. (Additionally, to much time in the hair straightener may produce a less stable end
    result.)
  3.  While scraping, You’ll find that the hash easily collects into a nice little ball at the end of your dab tool. (*Tip – if you find the oil to sticky to work with, place it in the fridge for a little to cool off.)
  4. When finished, scrape your dabber off onto a piece of parchment paper to collect the oils into a manageable location.

Now you’re permitted to sit back, throw up the legs, and enjoy your 100% all-natural hash oil.  Because the process used heat for the extraction, the hash is fully activated and ready for consumption, making it perfect for cooking.  Just melt it into your chosen cooking fat (oil), and cook/bake as typical.

The fundamentals of this process may also be used on a much larger scale.  Producers use pneumatic pressure attached to excessively large heated plates to produce massive results. Typically, this hash is referred to as Rosin.  Happy toking people, enjoy the rest of your day.

 

rosin press

Large Scale Rosin Press